Nearly every store had closed down by now. Still a scant few had business to conduct in the late twilight. Including Ben Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette.
"Aurey you come back here this instant," cried an irate girl with carrot hair. Dust had settled upon her simple pink dress and soap had turned her fingers to an old woman's prunes.
"'Ave to catch me first," snickered a squirrely boy with mischievous brown eyes.
"Oh I will and don't think of hiding under the press again or you're cleaning the ink stains out tomorrow."
"Ehh no fair Sarah," he whined having done just that.
"Yes it is fair," Sarah continued, "honestly we all have Mr. Franklin to thank for letting us stay here, the least we could do is keep the house tidy."
"You already do and so does Moses," he muttered.
"Neither of us are your servants, perhaps when you get one you could order him around."
Her arms were crossed a clear sign that his arguing time was up.
"I hope you two haven't destroyed the print shop again," Moses scolded. "And Aurey Sarah does have a point in doing your share."
"Thank you sir," she said to the tall black man.
"No need, however the cleaning will have to wait get your coats on."
"Why Moses?"
"We need to pick up James Phillips."
"Wasn't he set to arrive in the morning? Besides he's a young man he can find his way from the harbor, surely."
"Yeah now me and Sarah will have to stay up later," Aurey said putting on a shabby act of displeasure.
"James isn't coming in the morning, nor will he port at Philadelphia, he'll arrive at Boston on the Dartman."
"Massachusetts." Sarah already had both arms in her flimsy coat. "You fear he'll be caught with some mob men then? I suppose it is a valid fear especially considering where he hails from."
"Exactly, we should hurry, and remember both of you stick close to me."
"Huh, earlier you were saying he was old enough to find his way. Why is that any different in Boston?" Aurey asked.
As she helped button his jacket she explained. "He is a young English man and lately those from the other side of the sea haven't been too kind to the hard working across the coast line. Not to mention Ben Franklin's inspired the colonists toward action and good writing makes the blood boil."
"It's a bit more complicated than that," Moses added.
YOU ARE READING
An English Nancy
FanfictionJames Phillips was none too eager to go to the backwater colonies of America. At least he'd get to see actual soldiers up close and hopefully hear word of his Father having procured the wild lands he had so wanted. Until then he'd try not to be sick...
